Friday, September 17, 2010

Bedlam brings the stars to 'a relatively dingy, run-down neighborhood'


[Photo via the Voice]

Well, Black Book has a press release feature on Bedlam, the new venture from Eastern Bloc's Benjamin Maisani. Here are some passages for you:

What used to be a dingy, run-down bar in a relatively dingy, run-down neighborhood has transformed into a posh lounge destined to draw crowds to Avenue C. Bedlam, named after the first insane asylum in London, opened its doors this past week, offering a new hang-out spot for those who like to feel old-world in a modern way. Non-crazies Sara Jessica Parker, Matthew Broderick, Anderson Cooper, Solange Knowles, and Alan Cumming made it to the opening fete earlier this week. The new bar and lounge captures the mood of late 19th-century parlor life — think Edith Wharton or Robert Louis Stevenson.

And!

Thankfully Bedlam isn’t a showy, out-of-place jewel box of smartness; the flavor of the neighborhood and the former space is retained with the exposed brick wall and original, red vinyl benches. The back room—slated to host private events—still features 40C’s generous-sized bathroom and skylight (in addition to—surprise!—more animal heads).

And!

Creative cocktails like the Sagamore House — named after Teddy Roosevelt’s country house — will be available for whoever’s feeling fancy, but the average hipster can still order their Bud. The new bar has also plucked some top DJs from well-known establishments like Santos, Heathers, Le Bain at the Standard, and the former Mister Black, so expect — dare I say it — bedlam.

OK! Will take some time to process all this. Meanwhile, you may have some comments.

Previously on EV Grieve:
40 Avenue C getting another renovation

Anderson Cooper's boyfriend opening 19th-century cocktail bar on Avenue C

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Note: Blackbook editor Jimmy Im is the best friend of Bedlam owner Benjamin Maisani.

Marty Wombacher said...

I prefer the dingy spots. Leave Posh for the Spice Girls. Expect—dare I say it—boredom.

Lisa said...

"the flavor of the neighborhood...is retained with the exposed brick wall and original red vinyl benches".

Precisely how much time did this dork spend on the Avenue C of yore? The exposed brick walls I remember on A/C were where the fronts of buildings were collapsing, and the occasional glimpse of red vinyl was from an abandoned car seat that had been dumped on the sidewalk. "Avenue A you're All right; Avenue B you're Brave; Avenue C you're Crazy; Avenue D you're Dead". That was the way the jingle went at one point. (Altho there were dead animal heads, thanks to some locals who practiced Santeria.) But seriously - Bedlam? It is to cringe, especially if you've read about what went on at the real one. Let's hope it's not a self-fulfilling prophecy of what's to come.

T.E.V.B. said...

"transformed into a posh lounge" = PUKE. Gimme the dingy, run-down bar anytime. Douches!

EVGayBear said...

Hi-LAR-ious! THis place is described as a "posh lounge" that attracted SPJ and my Alan Cumming and then the writer says "Thankfully Bedlam isn’t a showy, out-of-place jewel box of smartness"???

I'll be at the Phoenix, thank you very much.

Jeremiah Moss said...

VOMIT. this "review" is offensive on so many levels.

Ken Mac said...

like dogs returning....they will come

Marty Wombacher said...

Budweiser's a hipster drink? I never knew. Here's to Ed McMahon, King of the Hipsters. Hiyo!

Cookiepuss said...

Aah! the conspiracy thickens.
These people need to stop exploiting the neighborhood like this! What a bunch of idiots! How dare people! Shame on them! Well, what can I say. This kind of behavior is condoned in a society. Why not open up a lounge in Alphabet City? It seems like a good way to gain credibility in a society. After all, there is an assured future transfer of a liquor license if and when one might want to sell. Also, People will see you as edgy, a pioneer of sorts. This is an asset. Can lead to more than friends kind of friends. People will cheer you! You will convince yourself that you are what the neighborhood and the world has been missing all along.

Maybe Anderson Cooper can do a special for CNN on how the Lower East Side got screwed, and how bar/lounge owners, restauranteurs and real estate developers continue to exploit the East Village and the entire Lower East Side.

OneWhoRemembers said...

We were white and Jewish and lived on 4th Street between C and D. Scariest part of my life.Saw a lot of violence and death. I never forget. Now the upscale white trash comes slumming down there...go figure....

Barbara L. Hanson said...

Sounds revolting.
I'll stick with the best bar in the world, which I won't name here.

Tom said...

Wow. And you all sound like such lovely people to have a drink with. Maybe you'll all get your wish someday and they'll open a bar exclusively for misanthropes. Not that any of you chronic complainers would go ...

Anonymous said...

I agree with Tom, a lot of bitter people posting here ready to condemn a place without even having set foot in it. I peeked inside Bedlam on my way home the other day and the place is actually quite beautiful, so why all the hate and premature complaints? At least let's give those guys a chance before passing judgment on what kind of establishment they'll run.

OneWhoRemembers said...

The resentment is clearly one of 'envy'. The rich slummers come down to Avenue 'C' and 'D', vomit, trash and then leave the neighborhood. The rest of us, on't have that choice and are forced to live with the garbage that resides there already and the rich garbage that comes and then leaves. Envy is understood.

Laura Goggin Photography said...

Ugh. I'm having flashbacks of my former neighborhood in Chelsea, when the Park opened on 10th Ave, SJP made it the new hot spot, and the rest is history.

@Marty - is this one going on your list?

Marty Wombacher said...

@Goggla: Never in a million drinks!